Separated cycleway work begins

Friday, December 11th, 2009

Work will soon begin on more major transport links throughout the City of Sydney to help make cycling a viable transport choice.

After months of consultation and design work, Council has approved construction tenders for cycleways on Kent Street in the CBD; Stage Two of Bourke Street through Darlinghurst, Surry Hills and Redfern; College Street in the CBD; and a number of priority cycleways which can be built quickly, including Bourke Road in Alexandria and in Bond Street in the CBD.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said global warming and congestion demand we look critically at how we build, occupy and get around our cities.

“Cities have 50% of the population and create about 80% of emissions. We have a responsibility to change our behaviour and use more sustainable transport options,” Ms Moore said.

“Many cities around the world, including London, New York, Amsterdam and Copenhagen have introduced separated cycleways successfully. We want cycling to be a real transport alternative to reduce congestion and pollution and improve public health. Accordingly, the City of Sydney has allocated $76 million over four years to build an effective cycle network across our area.”

“We are implementing Sustainable Sydney 2030 to do our bit to protect the future of our planet. This will be the message I will take to a meeting with mayors from the world’s top 40 cities in Copenhagen.”

The City of Sydney Council has approved:

· Construction of Stage 2 of the Bourke Street cycleway, a two-way separated cycleway which will run 4.3 km from Woolloomooloo to Green Square;

· Construction of the Kent Street cycleway in the CBD, providing a vital connection between the Harbour Bridge and Town Hall;

· Establishing a panel of contractors for minor construction works in local streets to improve safety and amenity for cyclists. Under this program, at least 11km of cycleways will be installed across the City next year; and

· Increasing bicycle parking equipment across the City to address increasing demand and complement the cycleway program.

Additionally, a two-way separated cycleway with sections of shared paths at intersections will be built on College Street along the eastern edge of Hyde Park. The separated cycleway, wider footpaths and other public domain improvements associated with this project will make the area much safer for both pedestrians and bicycle riders.

In April 2007 the City of Sydney unanimously adopted the Cycle Strategy and Action Plan 2007-2017. The strategy aims to increase cycling by 500 per cent in the city, by providing the infrastructure to make cycling a more attractive choice. The Strategy aims to increase the network to 200 km, with at least 55 km of separated cycle lanes and approximately 145 km of cycleways, dedicated cycle lanes and shared zones.